Check-link harness guide

ABSTRACT

A vehicle body structure includes a first body structure defining a first interior cavity and a second body structure defining a second interior cavity, with one of the first and second body structures being pivotally connected and movable relative to the other of the first and second body structures to define an open configuration and a closed configuration. A base member is fixed to the first body structure. A guide member is fixed to the second body structure. A channel member is movably received by the guide member. The channel member has a first end rotatably fixed to the base member and a second end positioned within the second interior cavity. A wiring harness passes through the channel member from the first interior cavity to the second interior cavity. A first sealing structure sealingly engages the base member and the first end of the channel member.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a wiring harness guide for avehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a harnessguide pivotally connected at a first body structure and movably receivedwithin an interior cavity of a second body structure.

2. Background Information

Many vehicles have closure panels that include electrically poweredfixtures. Vehicle doors are one example of a closure panel that caninclude such electrically powered accessories, such as electric doorlocks, electric side rear view mirror, etc. Typically, a hole is formedin a portion of the vehicle body panel, and another hole is formed inthe closure panel. Electrical wires extend through both holes to provideelectric power from the vehicle body to the accessories on or in theclosure panel.

The electrical wires extending between the vehicle body and closurepanel are typically protected at the vehicle body and the closure panelby a flexible conduit or hollow tube-shaped grommet. More specifically,the grommets have mounting ends that extend into the respective holes inthe vehicle body and the closure panel. The wires extend through thegrommets. The grommets are shaped and dimensioned such that theelectrical wires are prevented from contacting edges of the holes in thevehicle body and the closure panel, such that the insulation on thewires is protected and electrical shorting to metallic portions of thevehicle body is substantially prevented.

Typically, grommets are disposed at the vehicle body and closure panelwith a wiring harness passing through both grommets. The harness shouldbe long enough to span the distance between the closure panel and thevehicle body when the closure panel is in an open position. When theclosure panel is in a closed position, the harness is routed to a spacebetween the closure panel and the vehicle body. However, the hingeand/or the grommets can pinch the harness when the harness is notproperly routed when moving the closure panel to the closed position,which can result in damage to the electrical wires. Additionally, spacebetween the closure panel and the vehicle body is limited, therebyincreasing the difficulty of routing the wiring harness therebetween.Further, the grommets are typically disposed at different heights,thereby increasing the likelihood of the afore-mentioned disadvantages.

Accordingly, a need exists for an improved wiring harness guide.

SUMMARY

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the presentinvention includes a check-link harness guide for a vehicle. A vehiclebody structure includes a first body structure defining a first interiorcavity and a second body structure defining a second interior cavity,with one of the first and second body structures being pivotallyconnected and movable relative to the other of the first and second bodystructures to define an open configuration and a closed configuration. Abase member is fixed to the first body structure. A guide member isfixed to the second body structure. A channel member is movably receivedby the guide member. The channel member has a first end rotatably fixedto the base member and defines a first end opening. A second end of thechannel member is positioned within the second interior cavity anddefines a second end opening with a channel extending from the first endopening to the second end opening. The channel member extends across anexterior space between the first and second body structures. A wiringharness passes through the channel of the channel member from the firstinterior cavity to the second interior cavity. A first sealing structuresealingly engages the base member and the first end of the channelmember.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle bodystructure defining an interior body cavity and a door opening and a doorstructure defining an interior door cavity. The door is pivotallyconnected to the body structure and movable between an open position inwhich the door exposes the door opening, and a closed position in whichthe door covers the door opening. A base member has a mounting portionfixed to the body structure, and a receiving portion extending from themounting portion. A guide member is fixed to the door structure. Achannel member is rotatably fixed to the receiving portion of the basemember by a pivot structure and is movably received by the guide member.The channel member has a first end defining a first end opening, withthe receiving portion of the base member extending into the first endopening. A second end of the channel member is positioned within theinterior door cavity and defines a second end opening. A channel extendsfrom the first end opening to the second end opening. The channel memberextends across an exterior space between the body and door structures. Awiring harness passes through the channel of the channel member from theinterior body cavity to the interior door cavity. A first sealingstructure sealingly engages the base member and the first end of thechannel member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal

DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle of FIG. 1 with aclosure panel in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the closure panel in the openposition of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view in cross section of a base member receiving achannel member of a wiring harness guide in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view in cross section of a guide member movablyreceiving the channel of the wiring harness guide;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the base member and the guidemember receiving the channel member;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the base member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the base member of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the base member of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the channel member;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the guide member;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the wiring harness guide of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the wiring harness guide of FIG. 12including a sealing structure between the guide member and the channelmember;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view in cross section of a sealing structureincluding an accordion seal member sealingly engaging the base memberand the channel member;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view in cross section of a sealing structureincluding a lip seal member sealingly engaging the base member and thechannel member;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the sealing structure of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the sealing structure of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of a sealing structure sealinglyengaging the channel member and the wiring harness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Selected exemplary embodiments will now be explained with reference tothe drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the exemplary embodimentsare provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limitingthe invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 including a vehicle bodystructure 12 is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the vehicle 10 isprovided with a check-link wiring harness guide 13, with the check-linkharness guide being installed along, for example, between a closurepanel 14, such as a driver-side front door, and the vehicle bodystructure 12, which defines an opening 15 in the vehicle body structure12. A plurality of check-link harness guides 13 can be installed at avariety of locations between a closure panel 14 and the vehicle bodystructure 12.

A brief description of the vehicle 10 is now provided with specificreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The vehicle 10 includes, among other things,a passenger compartment 17 that is at least partially defined byelements of the vehicle body structure 12. Specifically, the vehiclebody structure 12 includes a sill structure 16, an A-pillar structure18, a B-pillar structure 19 and a roof structure 94. The sill structure16, the A-pillar structure 18, the B-pillar structure 19 and the roofstructure 94 at least partially define the opening 15. The vehicle bodystructure 12 includes a rear sill structure and rear pillar structuresdefining an opening 21 closed by the hatch door 20.

The closure panel 14 is shown pivotally attached to the A-pillarstructure 18 for movement between a closed position or configurationshown in FIG. 1 and an open position or configuration shown in FIGS. 2and 3, in a conventional manner. The driver-side front door 14 is oneexample of a closure panel of the vehicle 10 that moves between open andclosed positions. Other closure panels can include the driver-side reardoor, the passenger-side front and rear doors and the hatch door 20.Additional examples of closure panels can include trunk lids, hoods, andlift gates.

The body structure 12 defines an interior body cavity 22 and the dooropening 15, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The door 14 defines an interiordoor cavity 23, as shown in FIG. 5. The door 14 is pivotally connectedto the body structure 12, such as by hinges 11 and 95, as shown in FIG.3. The door 14 is movable between the open position (FIGS. 2 and 3) inwhich the door 14 exposes the door opening 15, and a closed position(FIG. 1) in which the door 14 covers the door opening 15.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the harness guide 13 is disposed betweenupper and lower hinges 95 and 11, which pivotally connect the door 14 tothe vehicle body structure 12. A first end 96 of the upper hinge 95 isconnected to the vehicle body structure 12, as shown in FIG. 3, and asecond end (not shown) is connected to the door 14. A first end 98 ofthe lower hinge 11 is connected to the vehicle body structure 12, asshown in FIG. 3, and a second end (not shown) is connected to the door14. A channel member 26 and a guide member 25 of the harness guide 13are disposed (in a vertical direction) between the upper and lowerhinges 95 and 11. Another harness guide 113 can be disposed between thehatch door 20 and the vehicle body structure 12, as shown in FIG. 3. Theharness guide 113 is preferably disposed between hinge members 114 and115, as shown in FIG. 2, although the harness guide 113 can be disposedin any suitable location.

A base member 24 is fixed to the body structure 12, as shown in FIG. 4.A guide member 25 is fixed to the door 14, as shown in FIG. 5. A channelmember 26 has a first end 27 pivotally connected to the base member 24.The channel member 26 is movably received by the guide member 25 suchthat a second end 28 of the channel member is positioned in the interiordoor cavity 23. A wiring harness 29 is configured to receive electricalwiring 30 and passes through a channel 55 (FIG. 10) of the channelmember 26 from the interior body cavity 22 to the interior door cavity23, as shown in FIGS. 6, 12 and 13.

The base member 24 is fixed to an outer surface 31 of the body structure12, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. A mounting portion 32 is fixed to theouter surface 31 of the body structure 12 in any suitable manner, suchas with fasteners 85 received by fastener holes 37 in the mountingportion 32. Nuts 86 can be used to secure the fasteners 85 to the bodystructure 12. An inner surface 38 of mounting portion 32 faces the outersurface 31 of the body structure 12. An outer surface 39 of the mountingportion 32 faces the space 34 between the body structure 12 and the door14, as shown in FIG. 6. A receiving portion 33 extends outwardly fromthe outer surface 39 of the mounting portion 32 into the space 34between the body structure 12 and the door 14, as shown in FIG. 6.Preferably, the base member 24 is unitarily formed as a single member.An opening 35 in the base member 24 is aligned with an opening 36 in thebody structure 12 to receive the wiring harness 29 therethrough.

The receiving portion 33 of the base member 24, as shown in FIGS. 4 and7-9, has a substantially planar upper wall 40 with an opening 41therein. A substantially planar lower wall 42 is disposed opposite theupper wall 40 and has an opening 43 therein aligned with the upper wallopening 41. A pair of arcuate walls 44 and 45 extend outwardly from theouter surface 39 of the mounting portion 32 between the upper and lowerwalls 40 and 42. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the arcuate walls 44 and 45have outwardly convex shapes bowing away from each other to accommodatepivotal movement of the first end 27 of the channel member 26 relativeto the receiving portion 33 of the base member 24.

An opening 46 is defined in a distal end 47 of the receiving portion 33,as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. A base member channel 48 extends from themounting portion opening 35 to the receiving portion opening 46. Thebase member channel 48 is in communication with the channel 55 of thechannel member 26 as shown in FIG. 14, thereby allowing the wiringharness 29 to be passed therethrough.

The guide member 25 is fixed to the door 14, as shown in FIG. 5. Amounting portion 49 of the guide member 25 is fixed to an outer surface50 of the door 14 in any suitable manner, such as with fasteners 87received by fastener holes 54 in the guide member mounting portion 49.Nuts 88 can be used to secure the fasteners 87 to the door 14. Anopening 51 is defined in a receiving portion 93 the guide member 25 toreceive the channel member 26, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 11. The receivingportion 93 extends through the opening 72 in the door 14, as shown inFIG. 5. A recess 52 is disposed in the opening 51 of the receivingportion 93, as shown in FIG. 5. At least one locking projection 53 isdisposed in the recess 52 and biased toward the opening 51. The at leastone locking projection 53 can be biased toward the opening 51 in anysuitable manner, such as with a spring. The guide member opening 51movably receives the channel member 26, thereby allowing the channelmember 26 to move through the guide member 25 into the door interiorcavity 23. The mounting plate 49 and the receiving portion 93 of theguide member 25 are preferably unitarily formed as a single member, andpreferably made of metal. The at least one locking projection 53 is madeof any suitable material, such as plastic.

The channel member 26 has a first end 27 and a second end 28, as shownin FIG. 10. A channel 55 extends from an opening 79 at the first end 27to an opening 80 at the second end 28 of the channel member 26 toreceive the wiring harness 29 therein, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. Thechannel member 26 extends from the first end opening 79 across the space34 and through the guide member 25, such that the second end 28 of thechannel member 26 is disposed in the door interior cavity 23. Thechannel member 26 has a contoured profile between the first and secondends 27 and 28, as shown in FIG. 10, to accommodate movement of thechannel member 26 as the door 14 moves between open and closedpositions. The contour of the channel member 26 can be any suitablecontour to accommodate movement of the channel member as the door 14moves between the open and closed positions. The channel member 26 ispreferably unitarily formed as a single member of a hard, substantiallynon-flexible material. The channel member 26 can have a square crosssection as shown in FIG. 10, or any other suitable cross sectionalshape, such as circular.

First and second openings 56 and 57 are disposed on opposite sides ofthe channel 55, as shown in FIG. 10. The first opening 56 is alignedwith the upper wall opening 41 of the base member 24 and the secondopening 57 is aligned with the lower wall opening 43, as shown in FIG.6. First and second pivot structures 58 and 59, such as pins 89, aredisposed through the pairs of aligned openings (56 and 41, 57 and 43) topivotally connect the first end 27 of the channel member 26 to the basemember 24. Alternatively, the pivot structures 58 and 59 can beintegrally formed with the channel member 26 to be received by the upperand lower wall openings 41 and 43 of the base member 24. The pivotstructures 58 and 59 provide a rotational axis 81 about which thechannel member is rotatable, as indicated by arrow 82 in FIGS. 12 and13, relative to the base member 24. The pins 89 can include a head 90larger than the second opening 57 to prevent completely inserting thepin 89 through the second opening 57. A sealing member 91 provides aseal between the pin 89 and the channel member 26. An end 92 of the pin89 is larger than the lower wall openings 41 and 43 to preventwithdrawal of the pin 89 from the walls 40 and 42 of the receivingportion 33. The end 92 of the pin 89 can be a flexible member thanexpands upon insertion to prevent withdrawal, or a clip can be connectedto the end to prevent withdrawal.

At least one detent 83 is defined by an outer surface 76 of the channelmember, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10. The at least one detent 83 receivesthe at least one locking projection 53. The at least one detent 83 has aposition corresponding to an intermediate position of the door 14between the open position (FIGS. 2 and 3) and the closed position (FIG.1). The at least one projection 53 is biased toward the channel member26, such that the at least one detent 83 receives the at least oneprojection 53 when the door 14 is in the intermediate position. The atleast one detent 83 is received by the corresponding at least oneprojection 53 of the guide member 25 to substantially prevent unintendedmovement of the door when in the intermediate position, therebyfacilitating holding the door 14 in the intermediate position. The atleast one detent 83 prevents movement of the at least one projection 53out of the at least one detent unless sufficient force is imparted tothe door 14 to force the at least one projection 53 out of the at leastone detent 83, thereby allowing movement of the door 14 to the fullyopened or the closed position. The guide member 25 guides movement ofthe channel member 26 through the receiving portion 93 into the interiordoor cavity 23.

A first sealing structure 60 sealingly engages the base member 24 andthe first end 27 of the channel member 26, as shown in FIG. 14. A firstend 61 of the first sealing structure 60 is connected to the mountingportion 32 of the base member 24. A second end 62 of the first sealingstructure 60 is connected to the channel member 26. A flexible portion63 is disposed between the first and second ends 61 and 62 toaccommodate movement of the channel member 26. The flexible portion 63circumscribes the receiving portion 33 of the base member 24 and thefirst end 27 of the channel member 26. The first sealing structure 60substantially prevents water, dirt or other debris from entering thechannel 55 of the channel member 26 through the first end opening 46thereof.

Alternatively, a first sealing structure 64 sealingly engages the basemember 24 and the first end 27 of the channel member 26, as shown inFIGS. 15 and 16. The first sealing structure 64 includes a lip seal 65connected to and circumscribing the first end opening 46. The lip seal65 has a distal end 66 sealingly engaging the receiving portion 33 ofthe base member 24. The lip seal 65 substantially prevents water, dirtor other debris from entering the interior body cavity 22.

Alternatively, a first sealing structure 67 sealingly engages the basemember 24 and the first end 27 of the channel member 26, as shown inFIG. 6. The first sealing structure 67 includes an annular recess 68disposed in an outer surface 69 of the receiving portion 33. A sealingmember 70, such as an elastomeric ring, is disposed in the recess 68 andsealingly engages an interior surface 71 of the channel member 26between the first end opening of the channel member 26 and the pivotstructures 56 and 57. The sealing member 91 seals the pivot structureopenings (41 and 56 in the upper wall 40, and 43 and 57 in the lowerwall 42).

A second sealing structure 73 sealingly engages the guide member 25 andthe channel member 26, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 13. The sealing structure73 includes a seal member 74 disposed on an outer surface 75 of theguide member 25 and the outer surface 76 of the channel member 26. Thesecond sealing structure 73 is disposed in the space 34 between the basemember 24 and the guide member 25. Accordingly, the second sealingstructure 73 seals the guide member 25 to the external surface 76 of thechannel member 26, thereby substantially preventing water, dirt or otherdebris from entering the interior door cavity 23.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18, a second sealing structure 78sealingly engages the channel member 26 and the wiring harness 29. Thesecond sealing structure 78 includes a grommet 79 disposed between thesecond end 28 of the channel member 26 and an outer surface 77 of thewiring harness 29. Accordingly, the second sealing structure 78 sealsthe second end 28 of the channel member 26 to the external surface 77 ofthe wiring harness 29, thereby substantially preventing water, dirt orother debris from entering the channel member 26.

The electrical wires 30 (FIGS. 12 and 13) extend from a power source tothe electrical accessories through the wiring harness 29. As shown inFIG. 6, the wiring harness passes from the door interior cavity 23through the channel 55 in the channel member 26 and through the basemember channel 48 into the body interior cavity 22. The channel member26 is pivotally connected to the base member 24 at the first end 27,with the second end 28 of the channel member disposed in the doorinterior cavity 23. The receiving portion 33 of the base member 24 isreceived within the first opening 27 of the channel member 26.

When the door 14 is moved to the open (FIGS. 2 and 3) or closed (FIG. 1)positions, the pivot structures 58 and 59 allow the channel member 26 topivot as a portion of the channel member passes through the guide member25 to accommodate the opening of the door 14. The arcuate walls 44 and45 of the receiving portion 33 of the base member 24 accommodate thepivotal movement of the channel member 26 thereon. The channel member 26pivots relative to the base member 24 about axis 81, as indicated byarrow 82 in FIGS. 12 and 13. The contour of the channel member 26facilitates movement of the channel member 26 through the guide member25. The channel member 26 has a length to span the distance between thebase member 24 and the guide member 25 when the door 14 is in the openposition without the second end 28 of the channel member 26 being drawnthrough the guide member 25. The base member 24 and the guide member 25are disposed at substantially the same height to facilitate movement ofthe channel member 26 when the door 14 is moved between closed and openpositions.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the guidemember 25 is connected to the body structure 12 and the base member 24is connected to the door 14, such that the channel member 26 passesthrough the guide member 25 connected to the body structure. Theoperation of the check-link harness is substantially similar to theoperation described above.

Accordingly, the check-link harness guide 13 in accordance with theexemplary embodiments of the present invention substantially preventsthe wiring harness 29 from being pinched between the body structure 12and the door 14.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe theabove embodiment(s), the following directional terms “forward”,“rearward”, “above”, “downward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “below” and“transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer tothose directions of a vehicle.

The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately”as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modifiedterm such that the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such features. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle body structure, comprising: a firstbody structure defining a first interior cavity; a second body structuredefining a second interior cavity, with one of the first and second bodystructures being pivotally connected and movable relative to the otherof the first and second body structures to define an open configurationand a closed configuration; a base member fixed to the first bodystructure; a guide member fixed to the second body structure; a channelmember movably received by the guide member, the channel member having afirst end rotatably fixed to the base member and defining a first endopening, and a second end positioned within the second interior cavityand defining a second end opening with a channel extending from thefirst end opening to the second end opening, the channel memberextending across an exterior space between the first and second bodystructures; a wiring harness passing through the channel of the channelmember from the first interior cavity to the second interior cavity; anda first sealing structure sealingly engaging the base member and thefirst end of the channel member.
 2. The vehicle body structure accordingto claim 1, wherein the channel member has a contoured profile betweenthe first and second ends to accommodate movement of the channel memberwith the one of the first and second body structures between the closedand open configurations.
 3. The vehicle body structure according toclaim 1, wherein the base member comprises a mounting portion and areceiving portion extending from the mounting portion into the first endopening of the channel member, with the first end of the channel memberbeing connected to the receiving portion by a pivot structure.
 4. Thevehicle body structure according to claim 3, further comprising thereceiving portion of the base member has a substantially flat upper wallwith a first pivot of the pivot structure connected to the upper wall, asubstantially flat lower wall with a second pivot connected to the lowerwall in axial alignment with the first pivot structure, and a pair ofarcuate side walls to accommodate pivotal movement of the first end ofthe channel member relative to the receiving portion of the base member.5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 3, wherein the firstsealing structure has a first end connected to the base member, a secondend connected to the channel member, and a flexible portion disposedbetween the first and second ends to accommodate movement of the channelmember.
 6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 5, wherein thefirst end of the first sealing structure is connected to the mountingportion and the flexible portion circumscribes the receiving portion andthe first end of the channel member.
 7. The vehicle body structureaccording to claim 3, wherein the first sealing structure is a lip sealconnected to and circumscribing the first end opening, the lip sealhaving a distal end sealingly engaging the receiving portion of the basemember.
 8. The vehicle body structure according to claim 3, wherein thefirst sealing structure comprises an annular recess on the receivingportion of the base member, and an elastomeric ring positioned in therecess and sealingly engaging an interior surface of the channel memberbetween the first end opening and the pivot structure.
 9. The vehiclebody structure according to claim 1, further comprising a second sealingstructure configured to provide a seal between the guide member and thechannel member.
 10. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1,further comprising a second sealing structure disposed in the exteriorspace between the first and second body structures and sealing thesecond end of the channel member to an external surface of the wiringharness.
 11. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, whereinthe guide member defines an opening configured to receive the channelmember, and a recess within the opening, and at least one lockingprojection positioned in the recess and biased toward the opening. 12.The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, wherein an externalsurface of the channel member defines at least one detent correspondingto an intermediate configuration between the open configuration andclosed configuration, with the locking projection extending into thedetent when the one of the first body structure and the second bodystructure is in the intermediate configuration.
 13. The vehicle bodystructure according to claim 1, wherein the second body structuredefines an opening, and the first body structure is a closure panelmovable relative to the second body structure to define the openconfiguration, in which the closure panel exposes the opening, and theclosed configuration, in which the closure panel covers the opening. 14.The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the first bodystructure defines an opening, and the second body structure is a closurepanel movable relative to the first body structure to define the openconfiguration in which the closure panel exposes the opening, and theclosed configuration in which the closure panel covers the opening. 15.A vehicle body structure, comprising: a body structure defining aninterior body cavity and a door opening; a door structure defining aninterior door cavity, the door pivotally connected to the body structureand movable between an open position in which the door exposes the dooropening, and a closed position in which the door covers the dooropening; a base member having a mounting portion fixed to the bodystructure, and a receiving portion extending from the mounting portion;a guide member fixed to the door structure; a channel member rotatablyfixed to the receiving portion of the base member by a pivot structureand movably received by the guide member, the channel member having afirst end defining a first end opening, with the receiving portion ofthe base member extending into the first end opening, and a second endpositioned within the interior door cavity and defining a second endopening, with a channel extending from the first end opening to thesecond end opening, the channel member extending across an exteriorspace between the body and door structures; a wiring harness passingthrough the channel of the channel member from the interior body cavityto the interior door cavity; and a first sealing structure sealinglyengaging the base member and the first end of the channel member. 16.The vehicle body structure according to claim 15, wherein the receivingportion of the base member has a substantially flat upper wall with afirst pivot of the pivot structure connected to the upper wall, asubstantially flat lower wall with a second pivot connected to the lowerwall in axial alignment with the first pivot structure, and a pair ofarcuate side walls to accommodate pivotal movement of the first end ofthe channel member relative to the receiving portion of the base member.17. The vehicle body structure according to claim 15, wherein the firstsealing structure has a first end connected to the mounting portion ofthe base member, a second end connected to the channel member, and aflexible portion circumscribing the receiving portion and the first endof the channel member and disposed between the first and second ends ofthe first sealing structure to accommodate movement of the channelmember.
 18. The vehicle body structure according to claim 15, whereinthe first sealing structure is a lip seal connected to andcircumscribing the first end opening, the lip seal having a distal endsealingly engaging the receiving portion of the base member.
 19. Thevehicle body structure according to claim 15, wherein the first sealingstructure comprises an annular recess on the receiving portion of thebase member, and an elastomeric ring positioned in the recess andsealingly engaging an interior surface of the channel member between thefirst end opening and the pivot structure.
 20. The vehicle bodystructure according to claim 15, further comprising a second sealingstructure configured to provide a seal between the guide member and thechannel member.
 21. The vehicle body structure according to claim 15,further comprising a second sealing structure disposed in the exteriorspace between the first and second body structures and sealing thesecond end of the channel member to an external surface of the wiringharness.
 22. The vehicle body structure according to claim 15, whereinthe guide member defines an opening configured to receive the channelmember, and a recess within the opening, and at least one lockingprojection positioned in the recess and biased toward the opening, andan external surface of the channel member defines at least one detentcorresponding to an intermediate configuration between the openconfiguration and closed configuration, with the locking projectionextending into the detent when the one of the first body structure andthe second body structure is in the intermediate configuration.